ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thousands of residents heard Mass at the Fort Pilar Shrine here celebrating Fiesta Pilar, the feast day of this city’s patron saint, the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar, on Saturday, October 12.
FORT Pilar Shrine
A mañanita (early morning) Mass at 3 a.m. started the day, followed by Masses leading to a procession at 3 p.m. from the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Fort Pilar Shrine where the pontifical Mass was held.
Mayor John Dalipe here has issued executive orders outlining security guidelines and traffic routes for the observance of religious festivities this year.
The order banned the wearing of hooded jackets, waist coats, bull caps, and bringing in of backpacks inside the fort.
The flying of drones was also banned, except those used by security forces and the government.
A temporary shutdown of cellphone signals was implemented between 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. as a security measure.
Meanwhile, the Hermosa Festival here kicked off on Thursday, October 10, with a colorful and vibrant street dance competition and program.
Participants in colorful costumes marched from the city hall grounds to the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex where the performances and program were staged.
Winning the grand prize of P600,000 in the street dance competition was the municipality of Salug, Zamboanga del Norte, followed by Talon-Talon National High School in second place and the Sangguniang Kabataan Council of Zambowood at third, winning P400,000 and P300,000, respectively.
In the Hermosa category, the MCLL National High School bagged the grand prize of P500,000. In second and third places were the Zamboanga City High School Main and Barangay Santa Catalina, winning P300,000 and P200,000, respectively.
Winning the Best in Costume prize of P100,000 in the Hermosa category was the MCLL National High School while the municipality of Salug won in the open competition.
The municipality of Salug and Zamboanga High School Main and Alumni Association won Best in Musicality.
The Festival Queen awards were won by the MCLL National High School in the Hermosa category and the Talon-Talon National High School in the open category.
The P20,000 prize for Festival Queen Video was won by MCLL National High School for the Hermosa category and the Talon-Talon National High School for the open category.
The city government led a series of activities for the month of October in line with its biggest annual festival, Zamboanga Hermosa. The festival is held in honor of the city's patroness, Our Lady of the Pillar.